Redskins report

November 30, 1996|By Bill Free

Highlights: The 30th-ranked Redskins defense continues to play well against the top teams in the league. Washington got two sacks from linebacker Ken Harvey and limited Troy Aikman to 9-of-19 for 63 yards and one interception. The Cowboys had 247 net yards.

Lowlights: Watching franchise receiver Michael Westbrook go down with a bruised left knee on the second play of the game cast a shadow over the day for the Redskins. Westbrook was bTC injured when he banged knees with tight end Jamie Asher on a pass play. An MRI showed that Westbrook dislodged a piece of cartilage. He likely will miss next Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. Westbrook has already missed nine games in less than two seasons because of injuries.

The Redskins are 8-5 but have a 1-4 record in November.

What's new: Washington signed third-year defensive tackle Troy Barnett (6 feet 5, 293) yesterday to help out a battered defensive line that keeps losing bodies. Barnett started 15 games in 1995 for the New England Patriots, making 53 tackles and registering two sacks. This year, he was waived by New England in the preseason, re-signed Nov. 20, and activated for one game before being released again.

Next game: The Redskins, who could find themselves in a three-way tie with the Cowboys and Eagles for first place in the NFC East if the Eagles beat the New York Giants tomorrow, meet the rejuvenated Buccaneers next Sunday in Tampa Bay. The Bucs (4-8) have won three straight and will go for four in a row tomorrow against the Carolina Panthers.

What Norv Turner said: "We've come off three tough games in a short space of time [12 days] and not one guy on the team is backing off. They're all going out there and playing hard. I am disappointed that we're not running the ball better [team rushed for only 46 yards against Cowboys]."

Gilbert underwent an MRI yesterday, which was negative, and he is officially listed as questionable. Allen is questionable. SS Darryl Morrison is out for the season with a spinal injury. DE Sterling Palmer missed a second straight game with a sore knee. Morrison's backup, Darryl Pounds (back strain), also didn't play against the Cowboys.